International Events in July 2002

Jul 1 Explosion of fuel in one of the Kursk submarine's torpedoes caused its sinking killing all 118 crew abroad says the Russian probe panel.
Tung Chee-hwa is sworn in for a second five-year term as Hong Kong's Chief Executive in the presence of the Chinese President, Mr. Jiang Zemin. Full Story
At least 71 persons, including 52 children and teenagers die after a mid-air collision between a Russian passenger jet and a freight plane near Veberlingen, southern Germany. Full Story
Gen. Augusfo Pinochet is mentally unfit to stand trial rules the Chilean Supreme Court halting his prosecution for dozens of "Caravan of Death" squad political killings during his regime.
Jul 2 The American adventurer, Steve Fossett becomes the first man to fly a balloon solo around the world, covering more than 31,000 km aboard the Spirit of Freedom. Full Story
Jul 5 The Croatian Premier, Ivica Racan steps down following a rift with a coalition partner.
At least 30 persons die in a bomb attack on a crowded market in Algeria, even as it celebrated the 40th anniversary of freedom.
Jul 6 Afghanistan's Vice-President, Abdul Qadir brother of the slain legendary rebel commander, Abdul Haq, is assassinated by two gunmen in Kabul. Full Story
The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf issues an order banning any person from holding the office of Prime Minister for more than two terms. Full Story
Jul 8 The world must not allow the AIDS crisis in Africa to be repeated in other continents, says Peter Piot, head of the UNAIDS at the Barcelona International AIDS conference.
Jul 9 African leaders usher in the 53-nation African Union bidding adieu to the Organisation Of African Unity created 39 years ago, at a summit in Durban, South Africa. Full Story
Jul 10 The Church of England, in a historic move decides to lift the 45-year-old ban on marriages between divorcees where a former spouse of either of the two is still alive. Full Story
Malaysia's Federal Court upholds the former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim's conviction and six-year prison term for corruption. Full Story
Jul 11 The Turkish Foreigh Minister, Ismail Cem, quits dealing a harsh blow to the Bulent Ecevit Government's push to stay on in power. Full Story
Chang Sang is named South Korea's first woman Prime Minister and Lee Jun, Defence Minister in a Cabinet shake-up by the President, Kim Dae-jung. Full Story
Jul 13 The U.N. Security Council votes to exempt American peacekeepers from the International Criminal Court jurisdiction for a year.
Jul 14 The French President, Jacques Chirac, narrowly escapes bid on life by a gunman while inspecting a military parade to mark Bastille Day, France's national day, on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris. Full Story
A scale model of a Japanese supersonic jetliner crashes seconds after take-off in Woomera, Australia.
Jul 15 An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan, sentences to death Omar Saeed Sheikh for his role in the abduction and murder of the Wall Street Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl Full Story
In a blockbuster merger, drug major Pfizer Inc. agrees to buy rival Pharmacia Corp. for $ 60 billion. Full Story
Jul 16 The Paraguay president, Luis Gonzalez Macchi, declares emergency following widespread demonstrations against his economic policies. Full Story
Jul 17 Spanish troops oust Moroccan gendarmes from the disputed Perejil island near Centa, an enclave in the latter's territorial waters. Full Story
Jul 19 British doctor death, Harold Shipman (jailed in 2000) killed over 215 persons since 1975, confirms an inquiry panel report. Full Story
Jul 20 The Sudanese Government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army, sign an accord to resolve the 19-year-long civil war, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Full Story
North and South Korea open a landmark inter-Korean air route.
Jul 22 Jan Peter Balkenende, is sworn in Dutch Premier.
Salah Shehadeh, a founder and top commander of Hamas is killed in Israeli missile attack on an apartment in Gaza city. Full Story
Jul 25 The United Nations Economic and Social Council nod for the Convention Against Torture. Full Story
Jul 26 An Indonesian court hands down a 15-year jail term for Hutoma Mandala Putra, son of former dictator Suharto for ordering the killing of Supreme Court judge, Syafiuddin Kartasasmita. Full Story
Jul 27 Sixty six persons die after an Su-27 fighter plane crashes into a huge crowd of spectators watching an air show at the Skniliv aerodrome, in the Ukrainian city of Lviv. Full Story
Jul 29 Filipino Supreme Court justice, Hilario Davide, Ruth Pfau, a German Catholic man working in Pakistan, Cynthia Maung, a South Korean monk and Sandeep Pandey, an Indian social activist win the Ramon Magsaysay awards. Full Story
Events 2002